Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California
Breaking a Lease
A girl friend is leasing an apartment in West Los Angeles with a roommate. Her roommate has recently become verbally abussive towards her to the point she fears her own safety. Can she leave, and break lease or is she binded by the lease agreement?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Breaking a Lease
If she breaks the lease, she has to pay the price. The landlord isn't responsible for her roommate's abusive behavior and doesn't bear the risk that she may not be compatible.
Ideally, she could find another roommate to replace the abusive one or to take her own place.
Re: Breaking a Lease
She should consult an attorney about obtaining a restraining order against this person and requesting that she be removed from the apartment. Further that she pay her share of the apartment rent.